Effective Exchange Rate Index
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, March 15, 2019 is 103.4 (up 0.1 against yesterday’s index). read more
Author Archives: hksar gov
Appointments to Independent Commission on Remuneration for Members of the ExCo and the Legislature, and Officials under the Political Appointment System of the HKSAR
The Government announced today (March 15) that the Chief Executive appointed Mr Carlson Tong as Chairman, and Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung and Ms Winnie Wong Tsz-shun as members, of the Independent Commission on Remuneration for M… read more
Hong Kong Flower Show opens (with photos)
The annual spectacular Hong Kong Flower Show opened at Victoria Park today (March 15) with some 420 000 flowers on display, including about 40 000 Chinese hibiscus as the theme flower.
Officiating at the opening ceremony were the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam; the Acting Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Jack Chan; the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Dr Anthony Chow; and Miss Hong Kong 2018 Hera Chan.
A colourful tapestry of flowers flows from the Hing Fat Street entrance, from which visitors can pass a rainbow tunnel, a teddy bear and hot air balloons to enter a fairy-tale world. Thereafter, there are antelopes and zebras galloping across a splendid carpet of flowers in a jungle adventure, and a brilliant sea of bright Chinese hibiscus visited by bees and butterflies, showcasing a world of colours and joy.
The entrance at Sugar Street is equally attractive with the design of the parterre combining elements of rail tracks and station platforms. An old-style train from the showground’s centre stage goes through a mountain and a tunnel amid undulating rainbow bands made of blossoms, presenting a journey back to the past while also embracing the future.
The student drawing competition held today attracted about 2,100 participants, who enjoyed drawing pictures of the scenes and displays. Members of the public were also delighted in taking photos of spectacular exhibits, including a colourful Hong Kong Flower Show floral wall, seas of tulips and Chinese hibiscus displays.
The Hong Kong Flower Show has launched public voting for “The most popular garden plot in 18-district competition” and “The garden plot with best local characteristics in 18-district competition”, and members of the public can vote via QR codes on-site or vote online.
This year’s flower show has enhanced environmental protection measures and encourages participating organisations, contractors, volunteers and members of the public to make concerted efforts under the slogan “Green Flower Show for All”. At the showground, there are waste separation bins and recyclables collection points to collect cartoon boxes, plastic flower pots, glass bottles, wilted flowers, soil and more, with the event’s green ambassadors on-site to guide the public. To help protect the environment, visitors are encouraged to bring their own bottles, cutlery and environmentally friendly bags. Free lending of reusable tableware has also been arranged to reduce the use of disposable tableware.
The flower show has also invited local artists, designers and horticulturists to utilise and recycle trees felled by Typhoon Mangkhut to create sculptures, furniture, art installations and landscape displays. These are showcased in the showground of the flower show to promote the spirit of “Junk! Woodworking” while enhancing environmental protection and upcycling wooden waste.
　　
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold a Green Recycling Day after the completion of the flower show. Tertiary students, green volunteers and ambassadors, young ambassadors, and volunteers from the LCSD, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the commercial sector will assist in sorting at the showground for the recovery and recycling of flower display materials. In addition, flowers and plants suitable for replanting will be distributed to schools, environmental groups, non-governmental organisations and the public.
The flower show will be held until March 24 from 9am to 9pm daily. Admission tickets are available for sale through the mobile application “Tap & Go” and at the entrances to the Victoria Park showground throughout the show period. Octopus can also be used to pay for admission. Tickets are also available for sale at the LCSD’s District Leisure Services Offices until March 22.
For enquiries, please call 2601 8260 or visit the flower show webpage www.hkflowershow.hk/en/hkfs/2019/index.html.
The flower show is organised by the LCSD. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust is supporting the flower show for the seventh consecutive year and has been the Major Sponsor of the flower show since 2014.
Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (March 15) released the latest grading of water quality for nine gazetted beaches that are open for swimming.
Seven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and two as Fair (Grade 2).
Grade 1 beaches are:
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Middle Bay Beach |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach | Repulse Bay Beach |
| Deep Water Bay Beach | Stanley Main Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
| Silver Mine Bay Beach | Silverstrand Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Golden Beach has been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2.
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department’s website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. read more
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes (with photo)
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 14) seized about 430 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million and a duty potential of about $800,000 at Shenzhen Bay Control Point.
Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying assorted goods at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday. After inspection, Customs officers found two machines mix-loaded with other goods on board the truck. The batch of suspected illicit cigarettes was found in 32 carton boxes concealed inside the machines.
The 61-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck was detained. Investigation is ongoing.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
